Boston family events
24 upcoming. Family-friendly events around Boston, MA: museum programs, shows, nature activities and more, Sep 25 - Oct 9, 2026.
TomorrowSaturday, October 17
10am to 5pm, through Oct 18Free
Newton Centre GreenNewton's 40-plus-year fall fair: full carnival rides, two live music stages, food trucks, pumpkin decorating, handmade vendors, and the GreenEXPO showcase. Free admission; rides via pay-per-credit cards.
10am to 2pm, through Oct 18
Cider Hill FarmNot-so-spooky trick-or-treat trail through the orchards with treat stations on the farm, plus tractor rides, a costume contest, a local makers market, and live music. $19 per trick-or-treating child; adults free.
10am to 5pm, through Nov 1
Boston Children's MuseumTwo-plus weeks of Halloween play inside the museum: Halloween-themed pinball, singing jack-o-lanterns, Monster Mash dance sessions, and a pumpkin scavenger hunt. Included with museum admission.
SundayOctober 18
1 to 5pmFree
Somerville Ave at Union SquareCar-free Halloween street party: community costume parade led by the School of Honk, live music on two stages, pumpkin carving, face painting, and lawn games. Free.
SaturdayOctober 24
9am to 5pm
Drumlin Farm Wildlife SanctuaryFull day of fall farm fun: festive hayride, Creepy Critter Mansion, hay play area, Drumlin Witch storytelling, owl ambassador visits, crafts, games, and live music. $15 adults, $12 kids, less for Mass Audubon members.
11am to 2pmFree
The Track at Suffolk DownsKids climb into fire engines, police cars, and construction trucks to collect treats along the old racetrack, with face painting, bubble making, food trucks, and music. Free; first hour is sensory-friendly with reduced sirens and lights.
12 to 4pm
Peabody Museum of Archaeology & EthnologyFamily Day of the Dead celebration: live mariachi and folk dance at 2pm, hands-on crafts, a community altar for messages to loved ones, and pan de muerto and hot chocolate for purchase. Included with museum admission except sugar skull decorating.
12 to 4pm, through Oct 25Free
Fort Independence, Castle IslandThe historic fort becomes a kid-friendly Halloween castle: eight themed rooms, spooky storytelling, free face painting, and costumed fort exhibits. Free; costumes encouraged.
SundayOctober 25
11am to 1pmFree
Prudential CenterThe 32nd annual indoor trick-or-treat through 30-plus mall stores and restaurants, with a magic show, face painting, Halloween crafts, and a kids concert. Free; optional $5 treat bag benefits Boston Children's Hospital.
FridayOctober 30
4pmFree
Inman SquareInman Square's annual Halloween block party: trick-or-treating at local shops and restaurants starting at 4pm, plus outdoor crafts, ghost stories, and a family movie. Free.
SaturdayOctober 31
4 to 5pmFree
Titus Sparrow ParkSouth End pre-trick-or-treat kickoff: pizza, a live children's music performance, and a costume parade down W. Rutland Square closed to traffic. Free; RSVP requested.
FridayNovember 6
11am to 9pm, through Nov 8Free
SeaportBoston's big holiday market with 125-plus local makers, iceless curling, a snow globe crafting corner, and food stalls. Free entry; open Fridays to Sundays.
SaturdayNovember 7
10am to 5pmFree
Bow MarketSomerville's second urban Renaissance Faire: kids story time and craft hour, goblin market stalls, armored combat demos, stein-holding contest, and cosplay. Daytime programming free; evening Fantasy Ball is separate and ticketed.
FridayNovember 13
10am to 8pm, through Dec 6Free
Jordan's FurnitureKids wander free through 28 animated vintage holiday scenes with indoor snowfall, plus a tube slide and a Rudolph 4D show. Free entry; add-ons $2 to $10.
TuesdayNovember 17
11amFree
Boston CommonWatch Boston's official 45-foot Christmas tree arrive from Nova Scotia by flatbed truck on the Common, around 11am. Free.
FridayNovember 20
4 to 9:30pm, through Nov 25
Stone ZooStroll light-draped paths past reindeer, flamingos, and black bears, with carousel rides on select nights. $20 for a group of four; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
SaturdayNovember 21
All day, through Nov 25
Methuen Museum of HistoryThe 33rd annual Festival of Trees: more than 300 decorated trees and wreaths, a children's scavenger hunt, a holiday gift shop, a cash raffle, and a visit with Santa. Ticketed; hours vary by day, closed Thanksgiving.
MondayNovember 23
5 to 6pmFree
Christopher Columbus ParkThe 24th annual lighting of the waterfront trellis with 50,000 blue lights, plus Santa and Rudolph, carolers, and free cocoa and clam chowder. Free.
SaturdayNovember 28
5 to 6pmFree
Martin's ParkThe playground's big wooden ship lights up with 1,500 feet of blue and white lights. Santa arrives by boat with the police harbor unit, plus Berklee holiday music, a fire truck touch truck, and crafts. Free.
MondayNovember 30
5 to 6pmFree
Copley SquareBack Bay's annual tree lighting with arts and crafts, Santa and Rudolph, the Boston Children's Chorus, and cookies and Santa photos afterward at Fairmont Copley Plaza. Free.
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